Banjo



W. L. LANGE.

BANJO.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 30y |919` 1,348,652. Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

To all whomA it mrrg/ con/ern onating chamber in which the sounds comingfrom the instrument are controlled.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. LANGE. OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

BANJO.

niented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application led'ApriI 30. 1919. Serial No, 293,832.

Specification o! Letters Patent.

` an ini-'lined intermediate edge engavinfv said Be it known that I, 'iLiJAnf L. LANGE, a bcvcl face 12. At the upper partof` each citizen of the United*'ltrlesfresiding in New spacing plate there is provided an inwardlv York city. in the coiiity of New York and pointing spacing extension 16. eniraginiv State of New York` li'ave invented certain Over the upperV face of the rim. and prof new and useful.Improvements in Bsirijn's5 vided .fith a downwardlv and outwardlv of which the following is a spcification. pointing projection 1T engaging in tlfe This invention relates to music-.il instruframe I'im fOr liolding'the spacing plate in ments. 1such as the banjo. phonograph and P1210@- i the like, and other apparatus in which vi- Arranged around th .bratio'ns are set up by vibrating diaphragnis. Gitter face of the rim are a plnralit'v of ten- An object of the invention is to provide. S1011 lugs 0r brackets 20. each provided with in a device of this kind. an arrangement '1 lwre 21 passing verticallv therethrough. wherebv lateral exits for the sound `ivaves.' The lllgS 0r brackets are held i'n place bv a in additioirto the ordinary exit. are pro- P llll'lllity Uf lOltS 22 passing through the vided permitting the egress 0f fhg, waves rini'and provided with threaded outer ends without mufingi having threaded engagement with said lugs Another object is to provide a suitable res- 'I he Spacing plates l5. project somewhat from the outer face of the rim. and are sur rounded by a hoop 24. which has its lower ther objects of th` invention will appear as the description proceeds; and various changes in the constructions described may be made without. departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the accom )anying drawing,-

. Figure 1 is a lace view of a banjo t0 which my invention is applied; K

Fig.l 2 is a central vertical sectional view, artly in elevation, of the device shown in edge projecting above the spacing plates and roiinded as at Q5 (Figs. 3 and o).

Resting upon the upper edge of said extension 1G, is a steel s :icing ring 27 of circular cross-section. tretched across said rmg and the upper edge of said tone hoop is a. vellum of parchment membrane or diaphragm head 2S having its peripheral p0rtion` 29 down-turned and terminating in a flesh ring 30 surrounding the outer face of 0n "the hoop 24. A straining hoop 33 is laced around said down-turned port-ion and) rests upon the flesh ring.

Each of the .sp-.icing plates l5 is provided with an aperture 15. which aperture -niay be of any suitable shape instead of circular, the spaces between the plates affording passages for sound from the interior of the showing banjo, and the apertures 15 a'ording means for preventing diffraction of sound by the spacing plates during the passage of sound from the interior of the banjo.

ln order to hold the striiirin'r hoop in straining position. there are provided strainingr hook loda` 35. each having an upper is shown applied to a banjo 1l) comprising end-hook 36 disposed over the upper edge a rim 11 provided at its upper and outer of the rim and engaging in :i groove edge with a bevel face 12 (Fig. 3). tertherein. The lower end of the straininV minating at its lower part in an riiuular rod is threaded and passes through said bore shoulder 13. said rim forming the interior QLand is engaged by a nut Bti-ifm tightening chamber of thc banjo. Upon the upper the. straining-rod. j edge of the ri1;i there are a plurality of The linger board 42. the bridge 43. and the vvertically and radially disposed spacing tail piece 44 of the banjo form no part of plates i5 provided with a horizontal lower the present invention. except as means for edge engaging said shoulder 13, and with providing vibrations olf Eig is a fragmental sectional view, a larger scale. showing details of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detail;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmcntal vertical sectional view showing thc path ol" the sound waves through the lateral exits and the am plifying tone chamber;

Fi G a fragmental plan view the formation of the tone chamber;

Fig. is a central vertical sectional view of a phonograph sound box embodying my invention; and

Fig. 8 is a face view of the sound box.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4. in v invention 1"lower part of they edge resting upon the lugs 20 and its upper' the diaphragm head.

In use the banjo is played upon as is an ordinary banjo. As is well-known` a banjo is usually held in the lap so as to close the lower opening of the chamber formed b v the rim, thus partially muiiling the sound of the banjo. liith the banjo herein described, the sounds formed by the vibration of the diaphragm head, find outlet Jtrom `the interior ot the banjo1 not only in the ordinary way, but also through thc space -iT formed between the spacing ring 28 and the rim; and the sound thus passingout passes also through the rcsonating chamber i8. formed between the hoop 24 and the outer face of the rim, and thence through the open bottom or outlet of the resonating chamber to the outer air.

The apparatus above described may be used with many and various kinds of instruments; for instance, a drum in which case the drum housing corresponds to the frame rim 11 of the banjo; and the tensioning and dia )hragm supporting mechanism above described is merely repeated at both edges of the drum housing. as indicated by the dotted lines at the lower part of Fig. 2.

My invention may be also used in connectlon with the diaphragm of a phonograph, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which the housing 6() is formed with a neck 6l for attachment to the tone arm of the phonograph, and also with an outer ring 62 and an inner spacing ring ing pillars 64 integrai with said ring 63 and with the inner part of the housing 60; The space between the tone-rim 62 and the pillars 64 forms what may be termed a resonating chamber communicating willi the interior of the neck 6i, through passages (59; The diaphra m is stretched across the outer face o the spacing ring 63, and has its free edge secured to a strain ring 72 clamped in grooves 73 and 74 provided respectively in the edge of said outer ring 62, and the inner face of a clamping ring 76. The'ring 76 is provided with a threaded fiangc? having threaded engagements with threads on the peri hery of the outer ring G2.

`The,diaphragm (i is vibrated by the usual stylus bar,78,and the sound thnsgenerated passes through the 'passages 64 `nto the resonating chamber 68, and thence through the'passages 69 into the neck 61, which passages 69 afford lneans for preventing dif` fraction of sound in passing intothe neck 61.

I claim: 4

1. In a musical instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber; a resonating chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior cham er; and means appartenant to the resona ing chamber provided through for passage throng the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing di'raction of said sound.

63 supported by spach .with a ertures there-l In a musical instrument ofthe charactcr described` in combination, an interior chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber: a rcsonating chaluber; and means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through lbe apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diffraction of said sound; said means being arranged transversely to the line ot' passage in the rcsonating chamber of said sound.

5i. ln a musical instrument of the character described, in combination. an. interior chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber; a resonating chamber; and spacing means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures ol' the. sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diiiraction of said sound.

-L In a musical instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber; a resonating chamber; and spacing means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diffraction of said sound; said means being arranged transversely to the line of passage in the resonating chamber y Y 5. In a musi 'al instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber; means for outlet to the outer air for the sound causcdvby said vibrations; and means located between the interior chamber and said means for outlet provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said'vibrations and preventing ditraction of said sound.

G. In a musical instrument of the character described, inA combination, an interior chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber; a resonating chamber; means for outlet to the outer air for the sound caused by said vibrations; and means located between the interior chamber and said means for outlet provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of. the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diffraction of said sound; said means being arranged transversely-to the line of passage in the resonatingiutmber of said sound.

Lg In a. musical ter described, in combination, anf interior chamber, a frame around the interior chamber forming a resonating chamber; means for causing vibrationsfin the interior chamber; and means appartenant to the resonating chamber provided -wth apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diffraction of said sound.

instrument of the charac- 8. lua musical instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber, a frame around the interior chamber forming a resonating chamber; means for causing vibratioi in the interior cham ber: and means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations4 and pre\enting diffraction of said` sound; said means being arranged transversely to the line of passage in the resonating chamber of said sound.

9. In a musical instrument of the charac teil described, in combination, an 4interior chamber; a frame around the interior chamber forming a resonatiug chamber; means for causing vibrations in the interior chamber; and spacing means provided with aper tures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and preventing diffraction of said sound` 10. In a musical instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber; a frame around the interior cham ber forming a resonating chamber; means for causing vibratidns in the interior chamber: and spacing means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of the sound caused by said vibrations and. preventing diffraction of said sound; said spacing means being arranged transversely to the line of passage in the resonating chamber of said sound.

11. In a musical instrument of the character described, in combination, an interior chamber; a frame around the interior chamber forming a resonatingchamber; a diai phragm strained over the interior chamber;

means for vibrating the diaphragm; and means provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures ofthe sound caused by vibrating said diaphragm and preventing diffraction of said sound; said meansbeing arranged transversely to `the line of passaze in the iesonating chamber of said soun 12. In a musical instrument of the charac-v ter described, in combination, an interior chamber; a frame around the interior cham.- ber forming a resonating chamber; a diaphragm strained over the interior chamber; means for vibrating the diaphragm; and spacing means provided with apertures therethrough for assage throu l1 the apertures of the sound) caused by vvi ratingsaid diaphragm and preventing diffractionv of said sound; said spacing meansbeing arranged transversely to the line of passage in the resonating chamber of said'sound.

13. In a musical instrument of 'the charac` ter described, in combination with a ,'bainjo, an exterior frame of the banjo; .'a ,frame around said banjo frame forming a resonating chamber; means for supporting said `frame; means for straining said diaphragm over said banjo frameiand over said resonating chamber frame, and for retaining the diaphragm in strained position; means for .vibrating said diaphragm; and means for spacing said resonating chamber frame from said banjo frame; said means for spacing being provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of sound caused by vibrating said diaphragm and preventing diffraction of said sound.

14. In a musical instrument of the character described, in combination with a banjo, an exterior frame of the banjo; a..fra,me around said banjo frame forming a resonating chamber;- means for supportin said resonating chamber fi'ame-roundsai` Abanjo frame; a diaphri'igmf'strained over said banjo frame and dvensaidmesonating chain! ber frame; meaisffor straining said diaphragm over said banjo frame and over said resonating chamber frame, and for retaining the diaphragm in strained position' means for vibrating said diaphragm; an plates for spacing said resonating chamber frame from said banjo frame; said plates being provided with apertures therethrough for passage through the apertures of sound caused by vibrating said diaphragm and preventing diffraction of said sound. Y

15. In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a rim; 100 spacing plates disposed around said rim and each provided with a spacing extension secured over the upper face of said rim; a pressure ring resting upon said extensions;

a. diaphragm head stretched across said 106 ring; and means for holding the edge of the head strained and spaced from said rim.

16. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination of a rim; spacing plates disposed radially around said rim, 110 cach plate being provided with a spacing ex# tension secured over the upper face of said rim; a plurality of tensionmg lugs around the rim; a hoop around and projecting above said spacing plat/es and resting upon 11b said lugs; a pressure ring upon said exten-V sions; a diaphragm head stretched across said ring and hoop and terminating in a. flesh ring Surrounding said hoo a straining hoop resting upon said fles ring; and 120 training rods connecting said hoop and ugs.

17. In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a rim; spacing plates disposed vertically and ra- 126 dially around. and rejecting outwardly from said rim;` each p ate being provided at the upper part with an inward spacing extension engaging over the upper face of said rim and provided with a downwardly and 130 outwardly pointed projection from the ex tension engaging 1u Said rim for holdingr the Y by the oaterledge of said s' iaeing plates and its upper edge projecting a ove said spacing plates; a pressure ring resting upon said spacing extensions; a. head stretched across said ring and Ithe upper edge of said hoop, and having its, peripheral portion downturned and termintin Ain a flesh ring surrounding the outer face o said hoo i; a straining hoop around said down-turne .portion and rest* ing upon said flesh ring; and straining rods secured to said lugs and having hooks disposed over said straining hoop.

18. In a. musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a rim prov vided at its upper and outer edge with a beveled face terminatinr at its lower part with an Aannular shoul er; a plurality of spacing plates disposed vertically and r: dially around and projecting outwardly from said rim, each plate being provided with a horizontal lower face engaging said shoulder, and provided with an inclined iutermediate face engaging said beveled face, and provided at the upper part with an inward s nein extension engaging over the upper ace o said rim, and provided with a downward and outward pr ijection from the extension engaging iu said rim for holding the spacing plate in place; a plurality of' tensioning lugs disposed around the outer face of ifthe rim and each provided with a vertical hook-r0d bore; a plurality of bolts passing radially through said rim inthe lower part thereof and having threaded engagement with said lugs for holding the lugs to the rim; a hoop having its lower edge resting upon said lugs, and having its inner fare held spaced from the rim by the outer edge of said lspacing plates, and its upper edge slightly rounded and projectingr above said spacing plates; a pressure ring of circular cross-section resting upon the upper edge of said sparing extensions; a diaphragm head stretching across said rim 7 and the upper edge of said hoop, and having its peripheral portion downfturned and terminating in a flesh ring surrounding the outer face of said hoop; a straining hoop placed around said down-turned portion and resting upon said flesh ring; strainin' lioolerods ha ving their lower threaded en( s passedthrough said bores and their hooks disposed over said straining hoop; and nuts secured' at the lower ends of said straining rods.

'ILLIAM L. LANGE. Witnesses i H. D. PENNEY, Fnenmuon T. Sass. 

